Keep Car Insurance Documents in Car

There are a number of reasons why it is important to have auto insurance. For almost all of us motorists across the country, there is the obvious legal reason. We need auto insurance because we have to have it in order to get out on the road. Auto insurance is also necessary for getting our cars registered and for getting license plates renewed. Keeping up with your auto insurance responsibility is a very big deal. Letting a policy lapse can have many different potential legal and financial ramifications. The fallout from this sort of thing is never good, so the best bet for any of us as drivers and as auto insurance policy holders is to keep our insurance current at all times.

Proof of Insurance Very Important

But beyond just having auto insurance coverage that properly reflects your home state's minimal requirements for protection, you have other considerations to think about as well. One of the bigger ones that most of us really don't spend much time dwelling on is the documents that go along with the policies we purchase. In a pinch, when you are pulled over or you get into an auto accident, having current automobile insurance does you no good at that time if you cannot furnish suitable proof of insurance for the investigating law enforcement officer on the scene.

Making sure that you always have a valid and current proof of automobile insurance in your vehicle is extremely important. Some people might argue that there are other ways around this, and that failing to produce proof on insurance is no big deal. If you he a certain window of time to get the law enforcement officials that evidence that you were in fact insured at the time of your meeting, you are all set.

But thinking of it in this way is short sighted, and it really misses the point. Any number of things can happen to you if you fail to produce this important document. As a covered driver, you are responsible for carrying it with you in your automobile at all times. You may be issued a warning and pretty much get off scot free. Or you may be cited and forced to pay a fine. But you could also have your car impounded.

Other Considerations to Think About

On top of all of this, any driver who does not have proof of insurance ready to go when the officer asks for it opens himself up to other citations as well. Officers tend to find reasons for leniency when they encounter drivers who have all the paperwork they need, especially when they have a good driving record and maybe even a nice excuse for why they were speeding. But if you are pulled over for speeding and your investigating officer notices you also have a cracked taillight as well as no proof of insurance, she has a whole lot to overlook if she's going to let you off with just a warning. Make sure you are prepared for these all important encounters following accidents or traffic stops. Be certain you always keep valid and up to date proof of automobile insurance in your glove compartment or other secure location in your car.

Other Documents to Keep Handy

There are some other documents that are also important to make sure you always keep handy and available in your vehicle as well. Your state vehicle registration is one of them. As soon as you get your new registration, even if the old one has not yet expired, place the new one in your glove compartment. Don't wait a single day. A delay like this could make you forget about it and maybe even throw the thing away accidentally. As soon as it is in your hands, it should be in your glove compartment.

Your insurer will usually give you a breakdown cover certificate with your other insurance documents. This gives you more detail on exactly what kinds of coverage you have. Keep this in there as well. It may come in handy in the event of an accident. You can use this sheet, which will usually have your insurer's phone number printed somewhere on the top, as a reference when you call your provider to report an accident. Having details of your own policy right in front of you will help you to know exactly what you are talking about when you speak to a claims or customer service representative over the phone.

Car insurance documents are important to keep in your vehicle at all times, just like your auto service book. They come in handy for reference as needed and they can keep you out of bigger trouble when you are accosted by the local law enforcement official.